LOTR

I have accomplished something grand in my life. Yes - almost 28 and I finally did it. It's done, it's finished. I think I should get a medal or something.

I started this task when I was in grade school. Again in junior high - and once again in high-school. But never finished. Shame.

Then last fall I began again, being rather determined. And instead of being derailed by Tom Bombadil, that happy man, I made it through. I went to his house, stayed for a while, and left. Thank goodness I made it out of there this time around! I left to Bree, left to Rivendell, to the Mines of Moria and to Lothlorien.

It may have taken over a year, but I made it all the way to Edoras, to Fangorn and the Dead Marshes. To the Black Gates, to Orthanc, to Minas Tirith...and into the fire.

Whew!

Some wonder why it took me so long to get through the book that holds my name, that created my name. Many thought it a crime that I had not read the book. I should be thrown down - down and out. And I don't have an answer as to why I had never read it! We all have our time-tables for when we do certain things. I have been enthralled with the story and the books - with the places and the people, and have done plenty of research and whatnot. But I can say that now I truly appreciate the books more than ever. And I will read them again - and again after that! I adore my namesake.

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Lothlórien is the name that was used in the later part of the Third Age. It means "dreamflower." The word loth means "blossom, flower." The element lor means "dream." Lórien is the name of one of the Valar - also known as Irmo - who was the master of dreams and visions. Lórien was also the name of the gardens where he dwelled in the Undying Lands.

Lothlorien was the home of Galadriel and Celeborn and their people, the Galadhrim. It was the only forest of mallorn-trees in Middle-earth, and thus it was known as the Golden Wood. Lothlorien was a place where time seemed to stand still, a waking dream of the ancient days of the Elves that would soon fade forever from Middle-earth.

Galadriel probably chose this name in memory of those gardens in the Undying Lands because she wanted Lothlorien to be a similar refuge of peace and beauty.

Lorien is a shortened form of Lothlórien.

Beija-flor

Beija-flor; Hummingbird. Beijar: to kiss. Flor: flower.

That was the nickname I was given on my mission by a sister in a ward while I was in my second area. I loved that area, but because of mishaps here and there - this particular member ended up - well, let's just say she didn't like me in the end. Thought I was all about numbers, and not so much about souls. Lovely.

My third time back to Brazil, I thought it so ridiculous that there was any kind of a riff between us - especially since I loved those people in that area so much! Therefore, I made it a point to visit her in her home and do some mending. And that I did.

We talked, we laughed, we ate. We became friends again. I was even offered to stay at her relatives place on the island of Noronha de Fernando next time I was down. I think it's about time to take her up on that offer.

URL

It really is going to change.

I know I said that it would happen last Thursday...but I'm just tryin' to think of a new URL.

Or maybe that just my excuse...

Just wanted to let y'all know that you haven't received any emails containing the new address....because it hasn't been created yet.

Maybe today, maybe tomorrow. I'm not making any promises.

Bearing Gifts...

So I have decided that if I can accomplish one thing a day - I'm doing pretty good. Today was giving of gifts! Which brings cheer to my heart. Okay - so I only delivered one set of gifts...but hey. It's something.



This is Gary and I. Gary is a friend of mine. He's technically a client, but I feel so - stale - referring to him as foremost my client. But he and his wife (who was absent today) have meant so much to me over the past year! Cheers!



I call him Gary Halfelven, and he calls me Lady Lorien. Gîl síla na lû govaded.



And where I stand is the entrance that leads to a Winter Wonderland ... of which I did not take any pictures! That tree is....leaning...



I love this place - I can't help myself!


The lovely Kim joined me - as I needed more hands to carry gifts...and the company was so appreciated as we braved the snowy, and sometimes slippery roads in Park City. (Note to self: get a vehicle with 4WD...and...heated seats).



Apparently Kim had fun too!

Speaking of Which...

A mark of the Christmas Season is the giving and receiving of gifts. We give gifts to those we love to show our appreciation for them - to show we care about them and that we think about them. We all try to pick out gifts that we hope will mean something to the person on the receiving end. Oh - it can sometimes be a stressful experience.

Last year it was just that.

By December I was seeing someone - not exclusively, because at that time I was supposed to be "seeing other people". But yeah right! I didn't want to see other people - and the two other dates I did go on during this time were set-ups and just excuses...and I texted Mr. "non-exclusive" right after the first one and during the second one. (You know, I am not sure how people get to exclusiveness...something I have never figured out - maybe you don't tell the person you want to be exclusive with that you need to be able to see other people? - I was scared.)

So here I am, or rather, there I was...Christmas was approaching and I had fallen in love over a game of chess, and figured that I had better be gift shopping! I had never purchased a gift for a man other than my father ...I was so nervous ... the butterfly kind ... but I think they were more like moths. Ugh.

I wanted to get the perfect gift. But I had no clue! I couldn't come up with anything, and I didn't know how much to spend. I had never done this before! If I spent too much - then maybe I would be saying that I was expecting too much. But if I spent too little - then maybe I would be saying that I didn't think much of him, or that I didn't see a future. And I really didn't know what he was thinking about "us" anyway. Money was quite tight at the time - but I loved him...so who cares, right? I wanted to get him an amazing gift while keeping my electricity. So clueless.

I was worried he wouldn't like whatever I got him. I was worried I wouldn't get the good brand. I was worried that he would be disappointed - and that I wouldn't be good enough for him. I was a rather simple, but all too often, pixelated girl, without serious relationship experience. Sometimes I was embarrassed by my lack of dating-relationships. He was older and had had several very serious to serious relationships in the past - and I felt like if he knew what my past was...he wouldn't want me anymore. I was an amateur hockey player, sent out on to the ice to knock around with the big-leaguers. I can't even ice skate backwards. But I wanted someone to teach me how.

We were to go to the ballet and exchange gifts afterward. Aside from being stressed about the present, I was running behind and was worried about my dress - worried about my hair, worried about my make-up - worried about being on time.

Just as I feared, we were late. But he was very, very kind about it, and if it did bother him at all, he didn't show it. "Afterward" surely did arrive! Presents were presented and I wanted to hide. Let's see - who went first? Oh - I remember, we took turns because we each had a couple of gifts for the other person.

His gifts for me were amazing, and my gifts for him were lame. Ha ha! I felt so stupid. I was embarrassed. Where is that cave again? Yeah - the one I want to run in to?

A small box with a bright green i-Pod shuffle, loaded with "Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop." A large box with a pair of the most beautiful UGG boots. That's what he got me. That's what I left with that evening. I was elated. (Elated: adj. Exultantly proud and joyful).

A book of pictures of bottled water. (He really likes bottled water, okay!? When he drinks water that is). A dictionary coupled with a thesaurus. (It had decent binding at least!) My plan was to create little love notes throughout the dictionary with the individual words. But as I said, I was running behind - and ran out of time. So no love notes were included. My gifts were so sterile, so impersonal, and I felt like I had insulted "us." Isn't a dictionary and a thesaurus so dumb?! Why didn't anybody tell me? I'm still rather embarrassed about it. I'm still blushing.

Maybe that's why it didn't work out. Ha ha. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

***I was originally going to get him a waffle iron. So he could make eggnog waffles, as was a family Christmas tradition for him as he was growing up. Probably not much better, but a dictionary, Lorien? He did receive my gifts very graciously, however. He's a wonder, and wonderful.***

URL

Announcement:

In one week I am changing the URL address to my blog, being this blog: WHeaTieS: aspirations, inspirations and expressions.

If you would like me to send you the new URL, please email me at greenbananas3@yahoo.com. That is currently my personal email address, which - in a week - will also be changing.

In one week I will email you my new URL. That is if you email me requesting that you still want to read my blog. :)

I will also be getting new business cards/new look. New address, new letterhead, new font, new envelopes....(not that any of that really effects any of you - but it's gonna be G-double-O-Dee good). What else?

A new car with 4WD and heated seats?

I wish.

I also wanted to thank all of those who check up on WHeaTieS every once in a while! *Thanks* I have appreciated all of the comments and also reading all of your blogs! Keep posting!

Much love.

LoRFLoR

My Productivity

So, what does Lorflor do ALL DAY LONG during the winter months?

Well?

I decided to take after the bear. Sleep. Do nothing. I say I do my taxes, but I haven't started yet. (Lyn Marie, you'll be getting a phone call soon). Do I feel bad about my in-productivity? Sometimes.

I eat too, you know. Sometimes. Well, at least that's something.

Dealing with a broken heart actually consumes a lot of energy! So I guess I take back my comment on being "unproductive." It takes a lot out of me to lie under the covers all day, pretending and wishing and hoping that things were different and that I could love and feel loved again by the only person in the whole world I want to see again, talk to again, be next to again. And forever.

I think my mom thinks I could find better use of my "productivity." But she cries with me, so that's okay.

[Oh the drama Lorien, you create it so well!]

What?! It is drama. But it's real. And it really hurts and it's okay to say-so. So I'm sayin'-so.

Today was another, productive, day. And this is what I did in the midst of my productivity.


I planted bulbs.


BULBS?



Not those.




Nor those! Goof. Although they are real nice. But probably too nice to plant.


Yes! These are the ones. Mini daffs in white. And in four to six weeks, when all is dead and cold and people just want to see the sun and some green - I will have a pot, full in bloom of mini-daffodils! Fragrant even.




These here are crocuses. Small and delicate. Again - in four weeks it will be splashes of lavender to smile back at me. If all goes well.


And among all my mourning, this is hopeful looking, isn't it?

Help!

Two (2) pounds (lbs) of chocolate were left at my door some time today! And that's NOT including the weight of the box. Truffles, imported French truffles...lightly dusted in cocoa powder to make them jealously divine. I prefer dark chocolate over milk chocolate any day.

Bill, my neighbor-pirate, must have heard I was oh so sad and concluded that this would cheer me up. Two pounds! I guess he figured that next to diamonds, a girl's best friend are chocolates.

I knew I liked my landlords.

But please don't expect me to eat this all on my own! Help! I am not even supposed to have any! Visitors welcome, chocolate will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Day 4

On day four of my lovely cold, that seems to be so attached to me that it doesn't want to leave.

Couple that with a broken heart and there's not much motivation to get out of bed.

Except maybe to get a tissue for my nose and some water for my throat.

Bright side of things: If my head allows it, I might actually in the VERY near future finish LOTR (less than 100 pages!).

FiNaLLY

It has really happened! I have been waiting for this moment for too long.

A ReaL bed.

[Singing from above, a light shines down]

I have been sleeping on blow-up mattresses, stacked up mattresses and whatever else I find to lie on for about...a year and a half. So I of course had to share this moment with y'all.


Kim, Kevin and my mom came to help me set it all up. Thank you Kevin! He provides me with muscle whenever I need it.


Now for the box springs.


Kim and I just had to see how delightful the mattress was and is.




Hee Hee ha hA hee.....hee. Sigh.


Now for the flat sheet.


Oh wait - the really, really soft blanket goes on before the flat-sheet.


It really is incredibly soft. See Kevin? Only admiration for the blanket.


"What is this Lorien?!? How many layers go on a bed and where do you go in all of this mess?"

"Well, it goes box springs, bed skirt, mattress, fitted sheet, low-profile soft blanket, me, high-profile plush blanket, flat sheet, feather comforter/duvet, then the comforter! Pretty simple really."

"Yeah. Sure."


Thanks for your help mom - and for the help of your drill. I am going to get one for my birthday! *Wink wink*

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Finally!!!

It's mostly put together now, just need some pillow shams (think I'll go European), some more throw pillows...maybe...you can over do it with throw pillows, so maybe no more throw pillows...and different curtains at the windows behind. Maybe stripes? Oh yes...how could I forget. A canopy. Light. Sheer. Feminine.

Good.

And don't forget a funky lamp on the nightstand. Just need one.

SouP. And maybe a HoLiDaY SouP

1 house-warming gift baked (it helps if the house-warming gift is a squash...this was particularly a spaghetti squash), seasoned with herbs and butter. Add some water to blend/cream. Sauteed seasoned onions - cream with squash. 2 cups of chicken broth. 1 pkg of cream cheese. Simmer for awhile while adding your most favorite seasonings. Set in fridge over night so that it may all meld together. Steam Brussels sprouts, then saute them with whatever you like - chop into quarters and add to soup. Chopped clams, drain, add to soup. Reheat. Serve into a dish that will make your soup look so good. Garnish with one to two dollops of sour cream, parsley, and maybe a pattering of ginger. Take a picture. Eat.

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I really like to cook. Especially during the cool to cold time of year. It's these chilly days that I want something warm and filling - something of substance and that doesn't come from a box or a fast food window. Something that is sitting there on my kitchen table. Warm. Homemade whatever - is the best whatever. (Especially when one is home and sick...bleh). Nothing quite beats it. Okay - well maybe something does....but you know what I mean.

Whatever you do, make it your own. I got some basic ideas for this soup from a couple of recipes then threw them out (or lost them), and just did whatever I wanted to do. Be adventurous in your cooking!

With soup - the nice thing about adding a garnish or a topping - like some sour cream, or a dash of ginger...or whatever it may be, it adds some different flavoring without affecting the WHOLE bowl of soup. To eat a whole bowl of soup and feel like every single bite tastes the exact same seems a bit boring to me. (But that's not a fact). So shake it up with a little something. Now a good hearty beef and vegetable stew isn't boring if you don't add sour cream...because each bite is a bit different if you have enough variety in vegetables. Now I am beginning to ramble....

Happy holiday cooking!

Mom - you need to try some...it turned out great! Kara - you deserve a bowl as well. Wish it would hold until next Tuesday!

one on one

You look like you just got out of bed.

LAH: Yeah...this morning I was ironing my bed skirt when I got a call on one of my projects. I hadn't gotten ready for the day yet but I had to be in a meeting pronto, so I picked up and left. Didn't even wash my face!...anything for one of my projects.

What was the meeting for?

LAH: I met with an outdoor lighting company to discuss the details of how we are going to light a gazebo for the Christmas season. It will be the "tree topper" of the property.

And just out of curiosity...what did you listen to while on your way over here?

LAH: David Archuleta's new CD - it's how I keep connected with my 15 year old sister. [smiles].

Do you sing in the car with your music?

LAH: Most of the time. I wish more people did - it makes intersection watching more fun when you pull up and the person next to you is singing and dancing in the car. Sometimes I think life should be a musical.

So you have been working in your industry, which is the Green Industry, focusing on landscape design, for about 3 and a half years - with one and a half years on your own. Breaking off on your own after less than two years with a company may seem a little quick. Tell us about that.

LAH: Well, first off - there are a lot of people my age and younger starting businesses. You just decide to do it and you do it. I was tired of the office, not of my boss or co-workers - we got along great and still do...I was just tired of the desk. One morning I came into work so worn out...I had been crying while driving to work and just cried and cried at my desk for the first part of the hour. I worked with men, so they were like...uuuuhhhh...what do we do with her? One just let me be and the other wanted to "talk." I was pretty teary that whole day! But they were real nice about it. It was quite funny and I never did tell them why I was crying. I was also struggling with some health issues, which was making work harder. And I had my own ideas and views of how I wanted to run a service-based company. And I wanted more time for my music.

Do you mind telling us about your health issues?

LAH: It's a condition called Candida. Won't go into the details for the sake of time, but basically I have to control my diet in order to not go hay-wire or become un-functional. No starches, yeasts, sugars...basically I can eat veggies and meat. And water.

That sounds miserable.

LAH: It was a real challenge at first. But then you realize it really is a great way to eat and if it makes me feel better, then it's worth it. Candida isn't a permanent condition if you're strict enough for long enough and get sleep and exercise - and I think I am doing quite well now because I can eat some things out of the strict diet without the horrible aftermath. But I am still working on it.

You said you wanted more time for your music? What have you done with that?

LAH: [laughs] Nothing really! I have been too busy with work. Learning how a business operates - books, accounting, tax laws - etc. Not to mention design and site-work. I have practiced a bit off and on - but I thought I would dedicate hours each day...a pipe dream. Although I am picking up piano again in January...and maybe another instrument. Now that I have settled into more of a routine I think I'll make time for music. It's important to me.

What is your favorite part of running your own business?

LAH: I can create my own schedule for the most part - and decide how I want to do things. I can work late or work early...or both, which happens. But I love it. I love work. If I'm not working - I'm not as happy. But that being said, I can decide when to take a day or a week off, and not feel bad about it. But my projects come first, so if a personal trip needs to be canceled...it's canceled.

What's your least favorite part of running you own business?

LAH: I always tell people that I don't like the books...the accounting aspect. I never took a business class in my life and I failed (literally) accounting 101 in college. But as frustrating as the numbers can be - I like a good challenge and learning new concepts...so it's really a love-hate relationship with my Quickbooks software.

What is the favorite aspect of what you do as a landscape designer?

LAH: My clients are number one. I have a great set of clients that I love. I love meeting new people and creating something beautiful for them to enjoy for years and years. I like to see people happy. And I really enjoy my time with other contractors and subs on the project. They become a family for me and I learn so much from them! My project is number two. I adore being on site - it's my favorite place to be and I try to do all my concept designing on site. I also love the creative aspect as well and finding inspiration for different parts of a project, and then seeing it installed and come to life. Sometimes I get real nervous inside about the potential results. But when you see what was on paper now in a 3D form...it makes me smile.

What inspires you on your designs?

LAH: Music - soundtracks. I love to design to music. I can focus and dream and dream again. Also I draw inspiration from nature...tree patterns, clouds - the way leaves fall...just trying to learn from the best, the Master Designer.

Do you have a favorite soundtrack?

LAH: Nope. Just whatever type of music fits the feel of the project best is what I go with. Weather can help determine that too...

What do you do during the winter months? Does that affect your work?

LAH: Yes and no. I still have office design work through the winter - and not a lot of site work. But when you have a warm winter like this one - I am still on site off and on during the week. But it's nice to have a bit of a lull...then I can work on my blasted books. They take me forever...

So - PC or Mac?

LAH: Do I have to choose? That's like "Yankees or Sox?" I don't care who wins...just play ball! [smiles] Well - I have been using a PC laptop that I got at a pawn shop when I started out...but last week or so I got the new Mac Book. Upgrading a bit so I can be more efficient. It's still sitting in it's box. I think I'll look at it tomorrow. I like Apple, but now I have both.

Describe to us your dream project. If you could get any project - what would it be?

LAH: Well - I am living my dream project right now, actually! It's a very unique house nestled up in the mountains and is called Rivendell. If you are a Lord of the Rings fan, enough said. My name comes from LOTR so it was a perfect fit and I feel so extremely blessed every day that I have been able to be a part of this amazing project.

Is it complete?

LAH: The landscape? Not yet. Not 100%. I am still building Middle Earth - a 30' x 30' map in the middle of the driveway. Stone, colored glass, plant material....it's an art piece really! I'll finish it in the spring. Well - it's a work in progress...but it will "done" in the spring. There are other things at Rivendell that will need to happen over the next few seasons...more perennials, additional shrubs...and maybe some magical wind chimes. We'll see. But like I said, it's been my dream project. Once-in-a-life time opportunity. Of course, something over seas would thrill me.

Any particular country?

LAH: Nope. Anywhere. Anywhere where they need a design done.

Well, thank you for your time. Any last words before we wrap up?

LAH: Find what you absolutely love and do it! Maybe it'll be a hobby, or maybe it will turn into a regular job. But just do something in your life that you love. And see how you can make others happy while doing it. I love my work - and sure, there are days when situations are stressful and you want to scream. But as a whole, I love my work and I feel very fortunate that what I happen to love, can also put food on the table.

But just veggies and meat, right?

LAH: [laughs] ...right...but maybe I'll sneak some dessert!

aRT

I was going through my art portfolio the other day, which has works from when I was 7 up until 21. I really haven't done anything since then...almost 7 years - which is a l-on-g time. As I went through my portfolio I realized they were all a bunch of semi-decent studies...and no works. I think it's time for me to do some more studies so that I can create some works.

A few of my pieces...er, I mean studies...


A boot. Hello boot.

Hey Kara - remember when you moved my object and thought you ruined my life as an artist? Hee hee.



I always thought it would be fun to design and create stained glass windows...I wouldn't want this one in my house, but it's a start to a more promising something. This circle needs to rotate a few degrees...counter-clockwise. Buggin' me.





A Color study (kind of that stained glass look again)





Now for a handful of value studies...value study is very interesting.







Now for a little figure drawing, which I adored - but was never super great at. Maybe a few more years of practice and I could be decent.




This was a muscle study...of muscles I can't even remember the names to...



I love animals...especially African animals. I once had a whole sketch book full of animals of all types...and my teacher lost it!






And now for perhaps my favorite. I was in second grade...or was it first? I think this swan is angry? I wonder why?


I think I deserve a B average for these studies...minus my last one. That swan is definitely an A drawing.

Ward Choir

When I found out that one of the options for Sunday School was Ward Choir...I happily switched rooms.

I have never been in a real choir. You know, the kind where there are parts, and people can read parts and they actually sound good while singing those parts? Yeah - that kind of choir. (What other kind of choir is there? Side note: absolutely LOVE male tenor, nothing is quite as beautiful as a male voice singing tenor within a choir). I enjoy singing, but I do not have an amazing voice. I definitely do NOT, or cannot - vibrato - I am more of a simple-sounded singer - alto. But hey - what ward choir has try-outs, right?

Our first sacrament meeting showing was last week for Thanksgiving and now we are gearing up for the Christmas program. All I have to say is it's going to be AMAZING! We are 40+ strong (so far) and have such a fantastic director who is great at song and composition/arrangement selection. Many people in the choir have MUCH experience, including a handful of music majors - and some operatic people (not to mention a member of MOTAB). It's so fun to sing, especially at this time of year. And I feel rather lucky to be a part of this very talented group - even if my offering is small!

Oh hear the angels voices!

Today I spent the afternoon on the campus of my Alma mater, Brigham Young University. I was the "Paula Abdul" for a panel discussion. They had three men fly in from Ohio and Michigan to talk about business in the green industry and since they needed the female factor - a woman who "runs a business" (yeah right) in the GI - I was the lucky pick. So I sat there in a seat a side these much more experienced men and answered questions from curious students as best I could. Smile. Free lunch. Fantastic. I do love meeting new people and associating with old friends - so it was the best of both worlds. I also was offered a teaching position at the University...night classes. I would start next fall and teach the PAS 103 course once a week. Wow - my own classroom! And with students even! That does get me a bit excited. I love to teach and share what I have learned and experienced.

Yesterday I received my first house-warming gift EVER. And I absolutely LOVE IT.

This here yellow squash goes so well in my kitchen and will go even better in a soup! Thank you so much Kara - you have no idea how happy I am to have received this from such a dear friend.

Now for a bird's eye view...

Just because I love it.

See the Lights

I have taken up walking at night...last night was warmer than tonight.

Temple Square is always a draw this time of year - I love being surround by the display of color coming from all planes. The only complaint I have this year is that the rather large...very large cedar - that is usually wrapped all in red from head to toe, is not wrapped this year. BUT - we did get a nativity in the middle of the reflection pool.

It is beautiful.



The Holiday Season can be a bitter-sweet time of year...depending on the year and circumstances I suppose. This year is one of those.

A lot of what makes the holidays meaningful and magical is being able to share it with those you love most, and when they aren't around your heart aches and the glow from the candle becomes sad and melancholy like.

There is nothing quite like street music...I just absolutely love live street music. Bless their souls.

I walked Temple Square last year - at about this time...probably a little further into the month. It was colder anyway, and there was ice on the ground. Funny thing is, without realizing it, I wore the exact same shirt and scarf this evening as I did last year when I walked Temple Square! Remembering this took me back to last years walk, when I walked it with someone that I had hoped I would be with again this Christmas Season. And I am not. And with whom I had hoped I would be going to the symphony with this Saturday. And I am not. How ironic that I wore the same shirt tonight. Silly me.

I am designing a pineapple Christmas Tree this year! Note: the pineapple. Smiles.


Merry Christmas to all!